Lower Burrell man charged in connection with church disruptions, threatening to exorcise priests

The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh is applauding the capture of a Lower Burrell man accused of disrupting church services across the region, including at churches in New Kensington and Freeport.

Wendell Hissrich, the diocese’s director of safety and security and former Pittsburgh public safety director, said that, given the climate of fear and insecurity in religious institutions across the country, he is grateful for the cooperation of local police, who charged Joseph Gorencic Jr. with simple assault and disorderly conduct.

Gorencic, 49, is accused of shouting obscenities at religious leaders in churches across three counties from Feb. 19 to April 23. Hissrich said disruptions happened during services from Washington County to Aspinwall and even Winfield in Butler County. There also were incidents in New Kensington and Freeport, both in the Catholic Diocese of Greensburg, according to court documents.

Initially, Gorencic was given notices of no trespassing and told not to return, Hissrich said.

New Kensington police Chief Robert Deringer said incidents happened at St. Joseph and St. Mary of Czestochowa churches in February.

A priest called New Kensington police to report that a man had yelled at him while taking Communion during the 10 a.m. Mass on Feb. 19 at St. Joseph.

“The male had been seen for six days at both churches,” Deringer said.

On Feb. 25, his officers were called to St. Mary’s along Kenneth Avenue for a suspicious male, later identified as Gorencic.

“The priest and church officials only wanted Gorencic ‘no trespassed’ from all church properties in the City of New Kensington, which he was advised of,” Deringer said.

There were no further incidents with Gorencic in the city, he said.

Southern Armstrong Regional police Chief Chris Fabec, whose force covers Freeport, did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

But Gorencic moved on to other churches, police said.

“He was becoming more aggressive each time, and he would approach the priests and make irrational statements before leaving,” Hissrich said.

“He would scream certain words regarding demons while the pastor would try to deescalate the situation.

“We cannot stress enough how important it is for people, if they see something suspicious, to bring it to the attention of someone.”

Gorencic’s photo was posted in all Pittsburgh Diocese churches, and a parishioner was able to get his license plate — which aided in his arrest.

Gorencic was arraigned Wednesday and is in the Allegheny County Jail awaiting a preliminary hearing, scheduled for May 22 before District Judge Richard Opiela in West View.

No one was injured during Gorencic’s outbursts, Hissrich said.

Ross police filed charges against Gorencic on May 9 stemming from an incident at St. Sebastian Church along Siebert Road. He attended a noon Mass on April 22 and, while waiting in line for Communion, screamed at the priest and waved his finger in the priest’s face, according to court documents.

Gorencic threatened to exorcise him, saying the priest was full of demons, police said.

The priest, staff and parishioners told police they were “terrified” that Gorencic would harm them.

Ross police Officer Warren Lillie wrote in arrest papers that he was contacted by a member of Gorencic’s family, who advised police that Gorencic is schizophrenic and had been off his medications since October. Family members told police he carries a knife.

“They expressed that his behavior has become increasingly more paranoid and delusional,” Lillie wrote.

Gorencic told his family he professes to be a warrior of God and that God sends him messages, according to court documents.

His family told police Gorencic believes he is supposed to exorcise all the demons from Catholic priests and that he is excited over the media attention because his message is getting out to people.

Cliff Gorski, spokesperson for the Greensburg Diocese, declined to comment.